Chapter 51: Festival
As she was thinking this, someone outside announced, "Miss, Sister Du Juan from the Guilan Courtyard is here."
Du Juan walked in with a smile: "Old Madam Jiang has sent this servant to invite the eldest young miss over. There are some matters to discuss."
Jiang Ruan stood up and asked gently, "Thank you for making the trip, Sister Du Juan. We'll go right away. Do you know what it's about?"
Du Juan smiled, "Eldest Young Miss, please don't address this servant so respectfully—it's undeserved. As for the matter, this servant isn't sure, but judging by the date, the Lantern Festival should be approaching."
The Lantern Festival—Jiang Ruan's pupils abruptly contracted, her expression freezing instantly. Her hands seemed to stiffen as well, standing rigidly in place like stone.
Zisu asked worriedly, "What's wrong, Miss?"
Only then did Jiang Ruan snap out of it, forcing a smile: "It's nothing." Yet the nails hidden in her sleeves dug deeply into her palms.
The Lantern Festival? The day that had ruined her reputation in her past life—originally set during the Spring Festival a few years after she first returned to the Jiang residence. The mocking gazes, the scornful whispers, the feigned concern of Xia Yan and her daughter, Jiang Quan's indifference—all still vivid in her mind. Reborn into this life, she had returned to the Jiang residence several years earlier. She didn't know if that day of humiliation and despair would arrive ahead of schedule too. Whether it did or not, one thing was already different: she wouldn't foolishly allow herself to be slaughtered like a pig. Whoever harmed her would pay a thousand—no, ten thousand—times over!
Du Juan had been smiling at Jiang Ruan, but now she couldn't help but shudder. For a moment, Jiang Ruan's gaze had seemed murderous, no different from the ferocious ghosts painted on the walls of temple hellscapes, exuding an eerie aura. The next instant, however, Jiang Ruan was looking at her with a smile, her eyes clear as mountain streams, saying softly, "Let's go to Grandmother's courtyard now."
In the Guilan Courtyard, Jiang Susu and Xia Yan had already arrived first. When Jiang Ruan and Du Juan entered, Jiang Susu immediately jumped down from Old Madam Jiang's couch, unable to contain her excitement: "Da Jiejie! The Lantern Festival is in three days! Grandmother has arranged for all the sisters in our household to go play on the Exquisite Boat. You've never been before, right? It's so much fun!"
Xia Yan added gently, "Since Ruan'er has just returned to the capital, the Lantern Festival is quite lively. Why not go take a look? It would be good to soak in the festive atmosphere."
Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow, sneering inwardly. Sure enough, whether in her past life or this one, Xia Yan and her daughter's eagerness to trap her hadn't changed one bit.
The Lantern Festival was a particularly special occasion in the Da Jin Dynasty, especially for lovers. Young men and women of marriageable age would come out to celebrate, and many romantic tales originated from this festival. Among the nobility in the capital, there was a unique tradition: two lavishly decorated flower boats, one called the Exquisite Boat for young noblewomen, princesses, and high-ranking daughters, and the other called the Evergreen Pine Boat for young noblemen, princes, and imperial sons. The two boats would cruise the lake side by side—close enough for interaction, yet maintaining proper distance between the sexes.The boats at the Lantern Festival were essentially a matchmaking event among the nobility. Young ladies could showcase their talents before these gentlemen, and those with exceptional skills might win many admirers, becoming the talk of the capital by the next morning. Thus, this day was also a competition to prove oneself, with noble young women vying discreetly for a promising future and a good husband.
Jiang Susu's reputation as the capital's top beauty was largely built on her annual triumphs at the Lantern Festival. In her past life, poor Jiang Ruan had been completely unaware of these intricacies. Not only had Jiang Susu tricked her into making a fool of herself on the Exquisite Boat, but worse things had followed. The next day, Jiang Susu was no longer the most discussed person after the festival—that title had gone to Jiang Ruan. After that Lantern Festival, rumors spread like wildfire through the capital, and Jiang Ruan's reputation plummeted, making her the biggest laughingstock in the city.
If all that wasn't enough, one memory remained etched deeply in her mind. That day, while everyone else mocked and ridiculed her, only the Eighth Prince had spoken kindly in her defense. But back then, she had been blind, mistaking the mockery in his eyes for genuine concern.
Now, meeting these familiar faces again in this life, everything had changed. She now saw the wolfish ambition beneath his gentlemanly facade. What grand gift should she prepare for this Lantern Festival in three days to make this life worthwhile?
Thus it was decided—three days later, all the young ladies of the Jiang household would attend the Exquisite Boat. Everyone understood Old Madam Jiang's intentions. Jiang Susu maintained her usual composure, though she couldn't quite hide the excitement in her eyes—this was another opportunity for her to shine. Jiang Li, surprisingly, had been granted clemency by Jiang Quan and released from her confinement. When they met in the Guilan Courtyard, she seemed much more subdued. Second Madam was naturally overjoyed at this opportunity. Jiang Dan stood awkwardly, her face full of timidity, not even knowing where to put her hands. Jiang Ruan couldn't help but observe her more closely. In her past life, she had been too wrapped up in her own insecurities to pay Jiang Dan any attention. Now she saw that this youngest sister of the Jiang family was excessively timid.
After Old Madam Jiang finished explaining the necessary arrangements, she dismissed everyone. Before leaving, Xia Yan specifically called out to Jiang Ruan: "Ruan'er, the maids I've selected for you will be sent to your courtyard shortly. Try them out first—if they don't suit you, we can always replace them."
Jiang Ruan smiled and thanked her, showing no trace of displeasure. Xia Yan's smile deepened, and after exchanging pleasantries, they went their separate ways.
Long after Xia Yan and Jiang Susu had left, Luzhu remarked, "The Madam is too hasty—she's only demeaning herself."
"To outsiders, it just looks like she's being considerate to her daughter. There's no demeaning involved," Jiang Ruan said dismissively.
Having spent so much time with Lianqiao, Luzhu now spoke without restraint, pouring out her thoughts like beans from a bamboo tube: "Who does she think she's fooling? Even a lowly servant like me can see through it. Everyone here knows exactly what's going on. The Old Madam says nothing—no wonder this household is never at peace."Jiang Ruan burst into laughter. Since Luzhu was a servant from the estate and not born into the household, she didn't share the same sense of loyalty toward the Jiang family as Lianqiao and Zisu did. She spoke of it as if it were another family's affairs. Only when Jiang Ruan laughed did Luzhu realize her mistake, blushing as she said, "This servant has overstepped. Please punish me, young mistress."
"What you said was quite right," Jiang Ruan replied. The fact that Luzhu wasn't partial to the Jiang family was actually beneficial to her. After all, everything she planned to do would oppose the Jiang family. While Lianqiao and Zisu might struggle to accept some of it, certain matters could be entrusted to Luzhu instead.
As they walked, a figure approached them—a slender waist swaying gracefully, exuding charm. Even before she drew near, a faint fragrance wafted through the air. Dressed in a pink-green short jacket and a long autumn-spice-colored skirt, she resembled an orchid swaying in the breeze. It was none other than Fifth Concubine Hong Ying.
Upon seeing Jiang Ruan, Hong Ying's eyes curved into a smile as she bowed slightly. "Eldest Miss."
Jiang Ruan smiled in return. "Fifth Concubine grows more beautiful by the day."
(End of Chapter)
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